It’s not every Grade 7 student who can say he’s met the premier of Ontario, but Jarrod Dobben is now among that select group.
Dobben, 13, recently returned from a three-week experience at the Ontario Legislature through the Legislative Page Program. The opportunity to meet political celebrities like House Speaker Dave Levac and Premier Kathleen Wynne was a bonus, he says.
“She asked questions of our group and she was really nice,” he said, adding, “Actually every MPP was nice to the Pages.”
Dobben, the son of Ben and Kathy Dobben of Moorefield, is a student at Drayton Heights Public School. His interest in the program was sparked last year, when his Maryborough Public School class won a field trip to Queen’s Park.
“It got me interested in politics,” said Jarrod. “They talked to us about it (the Page program) and it seemed like a good idea.”
The Legislative Page Program is open to students in Grades 7 or 8 with an interest in current affairs. Students must have an academic average of at least 80 per cent and get along well with their peers and adults.
Pages must earn their spot in the program through an application process that involves submitting an essay outlining their achievements, involvements and suitability for the program.
Asked why he felt he would make a good Page, Jarrod said, he enjoys volunteering, helping at church dinners and other events in the community.
An avid reader, he also tries to keep up with political News, he said.
“It moves a bit fast sometimes, I just try to keep up with what’s going on.”
Jarrod was accepted into the program and attended from April 8 to 25.
At the Legislature, Pages spend part of the their time in a classroom setting studying legislative processes.
“And we actually saw how it worked in the Chamber. It was really exciting because then we had first-hand knowledge of how things work.”
Erin Tedford, co-ordinator of the Legislative Page program says gaining a firsthand understanding of what democracy is and what it looks like in reality is one of tfhe main benefits of the program for students.
“The experience of listening to all of the debates and proceedings in the legislature for weeks at a time is not something a teacher can duplicate with a textbook and class discussion,” she pointed out.
Pages also meet with party leaders and parliamentary personnel and have the chance to ask them questions.
“The students leave the program with increased confidence and the realization that they can change situations in their communities through participation in the democratic process. The leadership abilities they already possess are enhanced,” Tedford explained.
During sessions, Pages help out by delivering messages and water to the members of parliament and running notes to the official Hansard recorders.
“My favorite part was being in the Chamber. It was really interesting to see how our province is governed.”
Contrary to the impression many have from watching televised question periods, Jarrod said he enjoyed working in the chamber because, “everyone was so friendly.
“In the afternoon, when the cameras aren’t going, that’s when most of the work gets done,” he observed. “In the mornings, during question period, it gets very hectic.”
Jarrod points out the program wasn’t all work. Their basement classroom contained a ping-pong table for use during breaks and field trips each Friday were among the highlights. Jarrod and the other 19 pages in his group enjoyed a trip to the Royal Ontario Museum and also visited the CN Tower.
“It’s the first time I ever went there, so it was really exciting,” he says of the latter experience, which included a ride to the top of the tower.
Jarrod said the opportunity to make friends with so many young people from across Ontario was another valuable element of the program. He said he plans to keep in contact with as many as possible through social media.
“You get to meet so many new friends that you know you will keep forever.”
The political experience also had a lasting impact, as Jarrod said he would consider working in politics or in government some day if the opportunity arose.
“It would be a great field to go into – it’s really intense. Yeah, it’s crossed my mind,” he said.
Accommodations are not provided through the program, so Jarrod and his father, Ben Dobben, stayed in hotels for the three weeks they were in Toronto.
“He makes us so proud,” Ben commented.
Tedford said Jarrod was an “excellent” Page and, completing extensive preparatioin for the program and and performing his duties “professionally at all times.
“He was exceptional when it came to interacting with his peers and the staff here at the Legislative Assembly and was well-liked by everyone he worked with. Jarrod used his excellent sense of humour and compassion for others to get even the most anxious and serious students laughing and relaxed. It was a pleasure having him here as a Page,” she added.
